PITTSBURGH — Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has won the team’s MVP Award for the fourth time in five years with the team. He did not win it last year after suffering torn pectoral muscle, and ceded it to safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. But Watt is now back on top after being voted by his teammates for the award.
“Any time my peers see the amount of work that I’m putting in and show that they have respect for what I’m trying to do, it’s super gratifying,” Watt said.
Watt leads the NFL sacks with 17, and has still maintain his place as the anchor of the defense. He is in contention for the Defensive Player of the Year Award after winning it in 2021 when he tied the all-time sack record. Watt continues to cement his Hall of Fame resume by maintain an elite level of play throughout his career in the NFL.
Nick Bosa won the award last year, while Watt missed seven games with a pectoral injury.
Will Watt capture it in 2023? It seems likely the award will end up in Cleveland with Garrett, who had another standout performance against the Jets on Thursday Night Football to clinch a playoff spot for the Browns. But he does win the team’s MVP award in what was an expected vote.
Watt and Alex Highsmith have formed one of the more fearsome edge rusher duos with the Steelers. It seems likely that Watt is headed to the Pro Bowl and for another All-Pro vote alongside Garrett on the AFC ballot, too. Watt isn’t a rah-rah type of leader. He’s one of the quieter members of the Steelers locker room in general. He’s not going to be the one to make an impassioned speech. But his play speaks for itself, and that is why teammates respect what he does on the field.